Detection of tomato potato psyllid in Western Australia

Industry Notice 1 March 2017 - update correction

In response to the recent detection of tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) in Western Australia, Agriculture Victoria has imposed restrictions on the importation of host material sourced from any State or Territory that has not issued an area freedom certificate for the pest. These
restrictions came into effect at 12.00pm Monday 20 February 2017.

Correction

An error has been identified in the previous industry notice dated 28 February 2017. This industry notice stated the following:

Where an area freedom certificate has not been issued, the host material must :

in the case of containerised nursery stock, cut flowers and foliage belonging to the family Solanaceae, have undergone treatment in accordance with an approved accreditation;

Please disregard this information, as it is incorrect.

Containerised nursery stock, cut flowers and foliage belonging to the family Solanaceae that have been sourced from an area not covered by an area freedom certificate are prohibited entry into Victoria.

Identification

Tomato potato psyllid (TPP) is a small sap-sucking, winged insect (about 3mm), which resembles a tiny cicada. The body is brownish and has white or yellowish markings on the thorax and a broad white band on the abdomen. Its wings are transparent and held vertically over the body.

TPP can transmit the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter
solanacearum, which is the causal agent of 'Zebra Chip' disease in potatoes.

Hosts

TPP has an extensive host range.

For the purposes of Victorian entry restrictions relating to TPP, the following definitions apply:

Host Plant means any plant or plant product belonging to the family Convolvulaceae or the family Solanaceae. These families include sweet potato, capsicums, tomatoes, eggplants and potatoes.

Host Material means any host plant, and any agricultural equipment or packages used in the cultivation, processing, packaging or transport of any host plant.

Victorian TPP entry requirements

Effective immediately, the entry or importation into Victoria of any TPP host material is prohibited, unless the host material was grown on, sourced from, or last used on a property where an officer responsible for agriculture has issued an area freedom certificate certifying that the
State or Territory or part of the State or Territory is known to be free of TPP.

Where an area freedom certificate has not been issued, the host material must -

in the case of fruit belonging to the family Solanaceae, have undergone pre-shipment fumigation and inspection; or

in the case of tubers belonging to the family Convolvulaceae, have been brushed or washed to remove soil in accordance with an approved accreditation; or

in the case of plants and plant products belonging to the family Convolvulaceae (excepting tubers), have been sourced from a property free of TPP in accordance with an approved accreditation; or

in the case of agricultural equipment and used packages, have been cleaned free of soil and organic matter by brushing, high pressure water or steam; and

accompanied by a plant health certificate, assurance certificate or plant health declaration, certifying or declaring that the host material has been treated and inspected in a manner described in the above points 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Please note that tubers from the family Solanaceae that have been sourced from an area not covered by an area freedom certificate are prohibited entry into Victoria.

Verification on arrival

TPP host material imported into Victoria, which are required to be accompanied by a plant health certificate, assurance certificate or plant health declaration must be:

presented to an Inspector for inspection; or

presented for verification by a person accredited to do so by Agriculture Victoria.

Further information

Following changes to the Victorian Government structure, the content on this site is in transition. There may be references to previous departments, these are being updated. Please call 136 186 to clarify any specific information.